As part of our commitment to sustainability, Wainwright has rolled out a programme to enhance the environmental credentials of its vehicle fleet.

Over the last five years, we’ve renewed our company car fleet with all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles wherever possible. Senior staff are encouraged to embrace the latest technology to minimise carbon emissions and enhance efficiency.

Now, our greening initiative has spread to the quarry and contracting divisions, where full electrification isn’t currently viable due to the nascency of the technology. Instead, we’ve introduced Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to our fleet.

“HVO is a drop-in replacement fuel made from commercial and industrial waste oils, by reacting the waste from hydrogen and high temperature and pressure,” explains Sustainability Manager Chloe Hart.

“Despite the energy required to transform the oil, due to its waste origins it provides an average 90 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared to gas oil. It is also cleaner to burn, making it beneficial to the health of our employees working on site, and the public.”

Currently, the mobile plant within our contracting fleet accounts for 11 per cent of Wainwright’s direct carbon footprint. Swapping to HVO will save up to 144 tonnes of carbon next year — the equivalent of the annual emissions of 14 UK citizens.

“The move to HVO fuel within Wainwright Contracting continues to show our environmental commitment to our customers and stakeholders,” says Contracting Director Lee Seviour. “It also shows that as a business we continue to push boundaries in this important area.”